Remarkable Ohio

Counties

Below is a complete listing of all Ohio Historical Markers. To find a detailed marker listing including text, photographs, and locations, click on a county below. Our listing is updated by the markers program as new markers are installed and older markers are reported damaged or missing.

10-14 Military Air Disaster

Side A: On April 18, 1964, reservists from the 302nd Troop Carrier Wing at the Clinton County Air Force Base (CCAFB) and 2nd Special Forces Group (Green Berets) of Fort Hayes, Columbus were to undergo an Operational Readiness Inspection. In a flight of nine C-119 “Flying Boxcars,” the men were to execute a routine night formation paratroop drop. Airborne, the flight encountered worsening weather conditions and the lead plane called off the mission. Returning to CCAFB, two C-119s collided in mid-air and crashed about five miles northeast of the base, near the intersection of Stone and Melvin roads. Tragically, 17 of the 19 men aboard were killed.(Continued on other side)
Side B: (Continued from other side) Service members killed in the crash: Airmen: Maj. Francis J. Brock, mission inspector; S/Sgt. Richard F. Davis, mechanic; S/Sgt. Clyde Grimes, radio operator; Lt. Col. Richard M. Griswold, pilot; Capt. Woodson B. Gudgell, navigator; Maj. Stanley H. Heismann, co-pilot; Maj. James A. Hopkins, pilot; Capt. Ernest B. Milligan, co-pilot; Capt. Robert L. Timmons, navigator Soldiers: 1st Lt. Donald B. Becker, paratrooper; S/Sgt. William Cornell, paratrooper; Lt. Col. Ray J. Glaze, paratrooper; S/Sgt. Joseph T. Kelly, paratrooper; Capt. Calvin F. Kemp, paratrooper; PFC James W. Kremer, paratrooper; Lt. Col. Samuel W. Sardis, paratrooper; Corp. Peter A. Weart, paratrooper
Sponsors: Clinton County Historical Society; The Buckeye Wing Association; Special Forces Association Chapter 45, The Buckeye Chapter; and The Ohio History Connection
Address: J. W. Denver Williams Memorial Park, 1100 Rombach Avenue, 
Wilmington, 
OH, 
45177
Location: Near the flagpole in the memorial portion of the park
Latitude: 39.4456920
Longitude: -83.8097590